A Child Protective Services worker is facing charges after deputies say he was driving under the influence while transporting a minor in Barbour County.
According to the Barbour County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were patrolling U.S. Route 250 on March 1 when they saw a vehicle cross the center line and nearly hit another car near Philip Barbour High School. The driver, identified as 42-year-old James Clark of Shady Spring, did not stop until reaching the Reeves Run area.
Deputies say Clark had slurred speech and showed signs of impairment during field sobriety tests. A young child was in the back seat at the time. Authorities say Clark told them he was working for CPS and transporting the child after a supervised visit, and that he had taken prescribed drugs earlier that morning. He was taken to Broaddus Hospital for a blood draw. Clark is charged with child neglect creating a risk of serious injury and is being held at Tygart Valley Regional Jail.